Excavating-machine



(No Model.)

T. CLARK.

BXGAVATING MACHINE. m2955212. Patented Mar. 25, 11884.

dUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS CLARK, OF QUINOY, ILLINOIS.

EXCAVATING-IVIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 295,522, dated March 25, 1884-.

' Application mea `rune 22, issn. (N model.)

`of the device and insure its successful operation. In its general plan my machine consists of a frame-work carried upon two pairs of wheels. Gearing on the axle of the forward wheels operates a rotating cylindrical digging and elevating device, which raises the earth to an elevator or endless belt operated independently from the rear wheels. At the lower end of the frame of this belt is a cutter or` scraper,and bothof these last-named devices are adjustable. The cylindrical digger is carried on a swinging frame pivoted on the forward axleV and capable of being locked rigidly into place. The machine,` the Ageneral principles of which are thus brieiy indicated, will be more fully described in connec-V tion with' the accompanying drawings, in whicha Figure l is a side View; Fig. 2, a plan vlew of the bottom of the excavator; and Fig. 3 isa detail sectional view of the vertical hangers, taken through the said hanger.

A A represent the front and B B the rear supporting-wheels. A B are the axles ofthe respective pairsl of wheels, and A2 A2' the bolsters, all of any suitable construction, the front wheels being pivoted to enable the machine to turn readily. Upon the bolsters is mounted the rectangular frame C, which supports the dirtcarrier, driver sseat, and shipping-levers. j

The work of excavation is performed by a rotary excavator, D, journaled in a swinging frame or yoke, E, mounted directly upon the front axle. It is driven by spur-wheels 11, connected to the hubs of the driving-wheels and meshing into pinions 2 2 on the ends of the excavator-j ournals. On the periphery of '5o the cylinder D are arranged the rows of excavating-tools 3 4;. The tools 3 have broad blades,

and those at op'posite ends of the rows are incline'd in opposite directions, so as togive a draw-cut. The tools 4 are narrow diggingtools, arranged `in regular rows alternating with the rows of tools 3.

The swinging frame in which this rotary excavator is journaled is of course adjustable both to vary the depth of out and to raise the excavator entirely above the ground, for convenience in moving and transporting the machine when not in use. The swinging frame is locked rigidly in position with the excavator at any height above the ground by means of pins 5 5, which pass through holes in its front portion, 6, and through any of a series of holes, 7 7, formed in arms 8 8, projecting from the axle and bolster. The excavator may be stopped by sliding the pinions 2 2 on its journals, they being provided with a groove and feather for that purpose.

The dirt-carrier F is attached to two of the upright posts of the main frame. of inclined sectional side bars, G G, the secl tions of each hinged together, as shown, suitable cross-braces, and a carrier-belt. (Shownin Figs. l and 2.) The lower ends of the side `bars are secured, `as shown at 9, to the hangers H H, which are rendered adjustable in thel sufficient horizontal movement upon the standard 15 to throw the roller and carrier into and out of gear.

The belt may be provided with any suitable retaining devices for holding'the dirt more securely. The dirt, afterbeing carried up on this belt, drops upon a supplementary carrier, which extends at right angles from the side of the frame near the rear thereof'.l Its upper roller, 17, is driven from the rear axle by a crown-wheel, 18, thereon. This meshes into With the pinion 13 is formed a- It consists IOO abevel-pinion on the end of a supported counter-shaft, 19. Sprocket-wheels 20 21, respectively keyed to the journal of roller 17 and to shaft 19, are connected by a chain, 22, which thus transmits motion to the endless belt 23.

The hangers H H, which support the lower end of the dirt-carrier, may be formed of one piece of metal, as shown, of arched form and vertically adjustable. At their lower ends is secured a scraper-blade, K, which removes the earth torn up by the rotary diggers. The

hangers are adj usted vertically by means of sern rated face-plates 24 secured to them. Through slots in these face-plates and in the hangers a bolt, 25, passes, and on this bolt are similarlyserrated plates 26. The bolt is threaded, and nuts 27 may be turned up against the faceplates 26, forcing them into contact with the hangers and holding the latter stationary.

In order to prevent .the front wheels'from turning while the machine is at work, I have provided a sliding locking device, L, which has arms 28 28,which pass through staples 29 80, secured, respectively, t0 the front of the frame and the bolster. The device,wl.ien free,

may be suspended from a pin, 31, just below the drivers seat 32.

of the dirt-carrier, ofthe slotted hangers H H, A

the bolt, and the described locking devices.

5. In a ditching-machine, a pair of swiveled guiding-wheels, in combination with thelocking device, substantially as described, forhold ing the axle and bolster rigidly in line with the main frame.

THOMAS CLARK.

Vitnesses:

CHAs. H. OBR, WILLIAM CARVILL. 

